Improvement in ditching-machines



mmm/5K- N. PETERS. PHOTO waited geistig M. E. BUR'ILESS, OF SENECA FALLS., NEW YORK.

Letters Patent No. 90,495, dated May 25, 1869.

IMPROVEMENT IN DITCHINGMACHINES The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part ofthe same.

To all wlwm it may concern:l

Be it known that I, M. E. BURTLnss, of Seneca Falls, in the county of Seneca, and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Ditching-Machines; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this speciiieatiou, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation.

Figure 2, a plan.

Figure 3, a cross-section.

Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

My invention consists in' the special construct-ion and arrangement of the machine, as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings- A indicates the frame, which is composed of two` parallel iron bars a. a, bolted and braced together by cross-pieces b b b, at the front and rear, as shown.

The front end ofthe frame is provided with a long elevis bar, B, stayed firmly by braces o c, and having a series of holes, d d, for the attachment of the draughtpole or chain.

As the machine cuts deeper into the ditch, the draught is changed higher and higher in the holes l d, so as to draw uniibrmly upon the machine.

The machine is supported by two wheels, C G'..

The front one is connected with a curved bearing, D,\vhose shank, j', is swivelled in bearing b, so as to turn freely, at the saine time that it has-a free Lip-anddown sliding increment in its socket.

On the head oi' this shank rests the end of a screw, E, resting in bearing e, and operated by means of an ordinary hand-wheel, y.

By this arrangement the wheel is at liberty to tlirn in any direction to follow the draught, keeping in place by the curved bearing D, and at the same time it is also capable oi' `regulating the depth and grading the ditch by the turning ofthe screw as the machine cuts deeper into the ditch.

The hind whee'l is simply shown as attached toa tixed bearing, D', but I design, in some cases, to make it adjustable by a screw, in the same manner as ythe front one. It may be used/ either way, as necessity may require.

To the rear of the machine is attached an inclined scoop, G, having a point, la, which cuts and opens the way in the ditch.

The lower end is connected with the frame by a brace, l-I, which sustains it iirmly in place. l

1n front oi' the scoop are two conlters, I I, one standing a little in front oi the other, and at such a distance apart as vto correspond with the `.width of the ditch to be cut.

Y These conlters cut the sides of the ditch, while the scoop scrapes np and elevates thedirt.

To insure strength, I prefer tol make the scoop of three parts, i It k, which are at'right angles to each other, as shown.

A mould-board, K, is made to adjust higher or lower upon the scoop, by means of screw-hooks L l, on oppositesides, which catch under theedges of side-pieces It k, and are tightened by nut-s m m.

This arrangement enables the mould-board to be adjusted higher as the machine cuts deeper, and thus )always stand upon a le'vel with the surface of the scoop. Y

This mould-board maybe either single, as shown, to throw the dirt all on one side, or double, to throw' it on both sides.

It is provided, preferably, with a Wing or wings, n, which slants a little upward beyond the level oi' the mould-board itself, to throw the dirt further out as the amount grows large ou the bank.

At a suitable position on the frame is a vertical loop, L, having a series of holes, p p, in any of which fits a handle, q, that projects laterally, and enables an attendant to support the inachinein an upright position as it passes over the ditch.

This handle can be adj usted higher as the machine cuts deeper.

An adj usting-platibrm, P, and a seat, Q, are employed for the operator of the hand-wheel g, who is also the driver.

The arrangement oi' the parts asA above described, enables the machine,vas it passes successively back and i'orth, to be adjusted deeper and deeper, to cut the ditch ofthe desired depth.

This arrangement of parts AI believe to be original with myself.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Pat-ent, is-

A ditching-machine, composed of the frame A, clevis-har B, adjusting-wheels C, with bearingsvD, screw E, scoop G, conlters I I, and adjustable mouldboard K, the whole arranged as described, and operating in the manner and i'or the' purpose specified.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

M. E. BURTLESS.

Witnesses:

J. D. PoLLAnD, R. H. VAN ANKUB.

ground, so as to throw out the dirt that rises on the 

